The Farris Channel Read Online Free Page B

Tanhara renSimes riding in the wagons, driving them, or mounted on the few horses left. The lead wagons with the wounded also carried most of the channels and Companions to care for them.
    The trailing wagons bristled with renSime defenders ready to die for Tanhara if necessary. The last wagon held two hopelessly ill Gens and an elderly channel, ready to sacrifice their lives to give the others a few precious seconds to escape.
    Several renSime passengers took positions beside the drivers with arrows at the ready, an unusual weapon brought from out-Territory. Tanhara had been forced to master it during their flight when they met Freebanders who used it to pick off channels and Companions from a distance. One Band had chased Tanhara across two Territories and learned better than to get too close.
    As Tanhara readied for the fight, the Fort’s riders passed the wagons at full gallop, speeding to intercept the Freeband Raiders.
    They crossed the edge of the tilled fields. Now they rolled over the stubble of harvested wheat fields. The ground was softer, slower, but rock free. Speed picked up. We’re almost there. We’re going to make it.
    Zlinning their prey about to escape into the stockade, the Freebanders spurred their horses mercilessly. They wanted those Gens who were fleeing ahead.
    Solamar saw one of the Freebanders’ horses founder. The junct Freebander, a scarecrow figure of skin and bones clad in rags, leapt clear of the horse and ran, augmenting his speed by burning extra selyn. Even without a horse, he was still closing on the rear wagon.
    Solamar dropped back to the rear wagon just as the Fort Rimon renSimes met the oncoming line of Freebanders.
    The Rimon renSimes picked off the leaders with throwing knives, arrows, and bullwhips. The horses and Simes thus downed tripped several more Freebanders. The pile-up slowed the rest of the attackers. Most leapt off their horses and continued on foot.
    The Rimon renSimes regrouped and caught up to the last wagon.
    The lone runner on foot had now been joined by those unhorsed. Burning extra selyn, they were more desperate than ever to get at the Tanhara Gens.
    With a quick scan toward the Fort, Solamar realized that most of the Tanhara Gens were going to make it to safety. But the last wagon was in trouble.
    Solamar rode for the Freebanders, gathering his concentration. He grabbed hold of the junct’s personal fields with his own, and yanked hard.
    The handful of juncts closing on the rear wagon went down. Oh, shen. They’re dead!
    He hadn’t meant to Kill, but juncts could be so fragile, especially the malnourished and dissipated Freebanders.
    The leader of the Fort’s renSime troop turned to him and saluted with four tentacles. Even at such a distance and through the surging ambient, he felt her astonishment and approval. But she was also irked at him for not riding on to the Fort gate. She ordered him away with a gesture.
    Solamar turned his horse and galloped for the head of the wagon train, feeling his mare laboring with fatigue. He leaned over her neck and told her, “Just a little farther now, Trilli, and you’ll get a good meal and a warm barn to sleep in.” He shifted his weight encouragingly.
    As the wagons climbed up to the Fort’s gate, Solamar swung onto the lead wagon’s left rear horse near the failing tackle he’d spotted earlier.
    They reached the top of the rise where the area in front of the gate was broad and flat. The gates still stood slightly open.
    Solamar gestured the renSime driver to circle right, easing the strain on the failing harness juncture.
    They led the first ten wagons into a semi-circle around the gate, and headed the lead wagon straight into the wall of the Fort. Zlinning to judge the right moment as he gentled the skittish horses, Solamar climbed onto the wagon tree and pulled the pin.
    With the horses separating from the wagon, he rode the tree, steering the horses along the wall toward the gate, letting the wagon tongue